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Additional parking spots eliminated

Newark locals lobby to end free parking on Winslow and Sunset

Published: Monday, September 10, 2012

Updated: Monday, September 10, 2012 21:09

 

In late August, Newark community members signed a petition to eliminate free student parking on Sunset and Winslow Roads between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. There were approximately 40 spaces available for students to park in a close proximity to the library and campus. 

 

One of the appeals of the university is that it’s a very pedestrian-friendly campus, but not necessarily between the hours of 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. This is an issue of making it convenient for students taking the extra step to be safe or to study late. Having a car here is a luxury, but the university shouldn’t make it an inconvenience entirely. There’s no denying that students frequently drive their cars to and from campus, yet they have to jump through loopholes to ensure that their cars are not towed or ticketed. Many students feel that this is more of a burden than it should be. 

 

Furthermore, the fact that the petition was signed before the semester began leaves out student input almost entirely. If a resident can lobby his or her way to getting a petition signed that directly affects students, students should be able to challenge that motion. This indicates that there needs to be a more open flow of communication between community members and university students.  Community members need to anticipate crowded parking spaces during the fall and spring semesters—there’s no way around it. Making more barriers for students who choose to use their cars on campus will only amplify negative relations. 

 

 

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1 comments

Jim Smith
Sat Sep 15 2012 08:31
Unbelievable! At a quarter for 12 minutes in the parking meter (that's what I pay on Courtney St. anyway) students who NEED to park there may face a choice of parking or EATING! In my view, Newark IS quite 'pedestrian-friendly' and a paltry 40 parking spaces will make NO difference in the congestion in town. Also, in addition to the pedestrian crosswalks on Main St., Delaware law says pedestrians have the right on way over traffic in the entire state, which presumably covers Newark.

I don't live in Newark but I like this relatively safe and quiet college town. But I have rarely seen a more avaricious, money-grubbing town (as far as parking) in all my 60 years and although the article isn't clear on this I'm thinking the residents will soon find the spaces are not gone, but will have parking meters or some other form of fee attached.

I think the city and "the university that ate Newark" could come to an agreement to issue hang tags (for the rearview mirrors, like handicapped tags) to all full-time students that allow them to park anywhere near UofD buildings during selected daytime hours.
Newark must realize that if the students have less money they have less to pay for things on Main Street, which is what keeps these businesses alive and without the students, many of these businesses would die.





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